Criminal Justice News

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

$5 Million Reward for Information Leading Arrest and/or Conviction of Rafael Caro-Quintero

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today
applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of State of a new reward
offering under the Narcotics Reward Program for the arrest and/or conviction of
Rafael Caro-Quintero.The Department is
offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest
and/or conviction of Caro-Quintero, who kidnapped, tortured and murdered U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985.

Caro-Quintero had served 28 years of a 40-year prison term
for his crimes when a Mexican court ordered his release on August 9, 2013 on
procedural grounds.Caro-Quintero is a
fugitive from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on
felony murder, felony kidnapping, and a host of other criminal charges.

“We are reminded every day of the ultimate sacrifice paid by
DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and we will vigorously continue our
efforts to ensure Rafael Caro-Quintero faces justice for the crimes he
committed,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Caro-Quintero was the
organizer and mastermind of this atrocious act and his unexpected release from
a Mexican prison was shocking and disturbing to law enforcement professionals
on both sides of the border.The United
States Government will utilize every tool available, including the State
Department Narcotics Rewards Program, to bring Caro-Quintero to justice.”

The Narcotics Reward Program was established by Congress in
1986 as a tool to assist the U.S. Government in bringing to justice major
violators of U.S. narcotics laws responsible for bringing hundreds of tons of
illicit drugs into the United States each year.The program gives the Secretary of State statutory authority to offer
rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or
conviction of named narcotics traffickers.

This announcement also comes on the heels of Red Ribbon
Week, the nation’s largest drug prevention effort. Red Ribbon Week began after
Camarena’s death in 1985 and is celebrated nationally each October, with local
communities and school districts holding events throughout the month.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to helping to preserve
Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his
life, the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction.
By gathering together in special events and wearing a Red Ribbon during the
last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their
opposition to illegal drugs.Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events every
year.

The Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs (INL) manages the rewards program in close coordination
with the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and other
interested U.S. agencies.